State day for Uncle Sam coming soon

Friday

Apr 18, 2014 at 1:35 PMApr 18, 2014 at 1:41 PM

By Spencer Buellsbuell@wickedlocal.com

"Uncle" Sam Wilson, the American icon and legendary Arlingtonian, could be recognized in a statewide celebration this year.A bill filed by State Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington, nearing final approval in Boston, would make Sept. 13 officially Uncle Sam Day, part of a recent push to promote the Arlington native’s connections to the town. The date is Wilson’s birthday."I think it represents the importance of what it is to be from Arlington," Garballey said. "Uncle Sam was an important figure in early American history, and I think to have somebody of that caliber come from our town is something all the citizens of Arlington can embrace."Garballey said he also hopes establishing the official day – which will be recognized, but won’t give Massachusetts workers the day off work – will help promote tourism in town, boosting Arlington’s reputation as a historical destination.The bill came about on a recommendation from the town’s Uncle Sam Committee, chaired by Town Meeting member Laurence McKinney. The committee is also responsible for the creation of Uncle Sam Plaza, and an accompanying tourist information booth, in Arlington Center.This year, McKinney said, his committee hopes to have a local child play the role of young Sam Wilson as part of the Patriots' Day celebration that has a Paul Revere re-enactor ride a horse west from the city - the Wilson re-enactor would hand an apple to Revere’s horse.All the committee’s efforts, he said, are about keeping Wilson’s memory alive."You can put fancy signs in front of anything," McKinney said. "But who knows the story outside Arlington? Uncle Sam is better known than the Beatles, and he was born here - no place else. If you’ve got it, flaunt it!"Follow Spencer on Twitter: @AdvocateSpencer